Strengthening marriages requires a workout

Famous people (like John and Elizabeth Edwards) struggle with their relationships in the public forum. How do we avoid that scenerio?

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Do you recall the days when people would echo the words of the famous song, "All we need is love, love, love"? Maybe you thought of the fairtale idea of love at first sight as the perfect starter to a lifelong marriage. Then the words were said, and the days began, and the realities of the day in and day outness of marriage began to take it's toll.

He likes his food one way, she likes it another. He relaxes while watching T.V., she relaxes by reading a book. He runs, she cycles. How do two people living in the same home, seeing each other every day, find themselves with little in common and no desire to remain together? At what point does the process of separation begin?

Many churches seek to help people discover how to keep the bonds of marriage tight. Churches are teaching and guiding those who wish to learn the elements of a strong relationship by providing opportunities to exercise the skills. The Christian home and the non-Christian home struggle equally with helping him and her to find their common path and stay on it. But it takes work. It takes effort.

That's why we find churches like Shepherd of the Hills providing a Mastering Your Marriage course for couples. It begins this Sunday, January 30th through March 20th from 6pm - 8pm. For more information, people can contact the instructor, Marriage and Family Councelor Jim Beebe at (818)787-1242.

Another church beginning a relationship related series for their 5 Sunday services (8:30am, 10am, 11:30am, 4:30pm, 6pm) is Real Life Church. Beginning February 6th, the series entitle Explicit Lyrics will focus on the Song of Solomon and our relationships with one another.

During February, The Sanctuary, of Santa Clarita, is having a relationships seminar entitled "Marital Bliss or Abyss". They call it 360 minutes for the relationally inclined. It will happen February 18th and 19th.

If we long to live the Bible verses found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, it will take practice. Just a test to see where you stand. Read the verses and think. Is this who you are as a couple? Is it who you want to be?

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

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A former youth and children's pastor turned stay-at-home-mom, Paula has followed Christ for more than 35 years, Paula Whidden's eclectic family gives her an unusual take on living her faith. Her family contains people who have believed in five different faiths: Baptist, agnostic, atheist, Catholic and Mormon. Ordained a Baptist pastor 14 years ago, she led children and teenagers through their faith walk for more than 20 years.